Jesaja 36:21

21 Sie schwiegen aber still und antworteten ihm nichts; denn der König hatte geboten und gesagt: Antwortet ihm nichts.

Jesaja 36:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 36:21

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word
The three ministers of Hezekiah; not as confounded, and unable to return an answer: they were capable of saying many things in proof that the Lord God was greater than the gods of the nations, and in favour of their king, Hezekiah, whom he had treated in a scurrilous manner; and could have objected to him the king of Assyria's breach of faith and honour, but these things they waved, and said nothing of; no doubt they said something to him, had some conference with him, or otherwise what were they sent as commissioners about? but they made no answer to his blasphemies and menaces: for the king's commandment was, saying, answer him not:
with respect to the above things; when he sent them, he might be aware that he would behave in such a rude, insolent, and blaspheming manner, and therefore the king gave them instructions how to conduct themselves, should this be the case. Musculus thinks the king was on the wall, and heard all himself, and gave orders to his ministers to make no reply; but this does not seem likely; what is here said of the ministers is also said of the people, ( 2 Kings 18:36 ) .

Jesaja 36:21 In-Context

19 Wo sind die Götter zu Hamath und Arpad? Wo sind die Götter Sepharvaims? Haben sie auch Samaria errettet von meiner Hand?

20 Welcher unter allen Göttern dieser Lande hat sein Land errettet von meiner Hand, daß der HERR sollte Jerusalem erretten von meiner Hand?

21 Sie schwiegen aber still und antworteten ihm nichts; denn der König hatte geboten und gesagt: Antwortet ihm nichts.

22 Da kamen Eljakim, der Sohn Hilkias, der Hofmeister, und Sebna, der Schreiber, und Joah, der Sohn Asaphs, der Kanzler, mit zerrissenen Kleidern zu Hiskia und zeigten ihm an die Worte des Erzschenken.